Apple Power Mac G4 Troubleshooting

Dukefrukem · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:30 PM

So I picked up an old G4 from my work's lab and I'm trying to get it up and running. I've never troubleshoot an Apple machine before so I have no idea how to navigate around.

It appears to have memory, hard drive, CPU, working fan, etc and it's in pretty good shape...

When i turn it on it has the Apple logo and just spins there forever...

Anyone have experience with G4s?

moidock · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:36 PM

OS went corrupt, you need to reinstall.

Yes, I've had Macs before.

Dukefrukem · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:37 PM

simple as that?

moidock · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:43 PM

Yep, if it shows up the Apple logo and the little spinning animation then it means that the computer works.

The spinning animation under the Apple logo means that the OS is loading. When it gets corrupted it tends to remain stuck in the animation.

A non-working Apple computer (read non-POSTing for those PC only guys) will show a sad mac and will display a code. The code tells you what the problem is.

Dukefrukem · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:44 PM

oh ok.

and what OS do you suggest I install on this pig?

moidock · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:48 PM

G4's can take on OS 9.2 (referred now as Classic) and OS X. For OS 9 at least 256MB of RAM is recommended, for OS X it is better to have at least 512MB of RAM.

Although there is very little software being written for the Classic Mac OS so you're better off with OS X.

Edit:

OS X shows the Apple logo and the spinning animation when starting up so it is definite that the computer had OS X installed.

Older OS's just showed the OS version, a progress bar and a bunch of icons loading at startup.

Dukefrukem · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 09:57 PM

Rgr that. Thanks dock.

I checked and the machine only has 384MB of PC133 RAM inside. I have no idea what kind of CPU is in here. But I'll order some more RAM.

What do you recommend? brand?

moidock · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 10:06 PM

Crucial sells some RAM for those, I'm going with them because they're a known brand.

Computer memory upgrades for Apple Power Mac G4 (466, 533, 667, and 733MHz) Desktop/PC from Crucial.com

Dukefrukem · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 10:08 PM

hmm.

I actually picked up two G4s,,, and the second one doesnt have RAM in it, but it looks to be a bit more advanced. I took off the huge heatsink and there's two CPUs that are soldered to teh board.

It also has four DIMMs of memory instead of three and an 80GB hard drive instead of a 60GB.

pulled off some part numbers for the CPU board and motherboard:

KD2472BFN8PD

but doesn't bring up anything on google

trying to figure out a way to determine what CPU is in these things so i know which one to MAKE work.

Dukefrukem · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 10:16 PM

and the 2nd G4 doesn't support the same type of ram as the first.

it's not 168-pin